Rethinking wastewater: Technology advances make water reuse a smart practice

“The days of using water once, and thinking of it as a waste stream are behind us.” — Melissa Meeker, executive director, WateReuse Colorado

In communities across the world, readily available water supplies are dwindling. As we experience droughts, population growth and increased municipal, industrial and agricultural demand, it is important to evaluate our water use and see if we can integrate water reuse into our everyday routines.
To address these existing and anticipated water shortages, many have begun to increase water conservation practices and are seeking alternative sources of water. Water reuse — the use of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as farming or industrial — is one of these practices that significantly expands water supplies.
Xylem, a leader in global water technology and the WateReuse Association’s 2014 WateReuse Equipment Manufacturer of the Year, offers equipment solutions across the complete water cycle that combine leading technologies to enhance water sustainability practices by treating water, transporting it to where it is needed and cleaning it to meet any reuse challenge.

One of the most important components of a water reuse system is a pump. Pumps should be selected to operate at their Best Efficiency Point (BEP) and the plumbing should be engineered to minimize friction loss. It is estimated that a water reuse system using improperly sized piping and pumps can increase energy consumption by 200 to 300 percent.

“The cost of oversized pumps increases beyond the energy bill. Improperly sized pumps are more likely to fail prematurely and reduce the life expectancy of the treatment system,” said Nate Maguire, Americas Business Unit Director of Industry and Agriculture markets for Xylem AWS.

Equipment is just one variable to consider when implementing a water reuse system. By taking a holistic approach to water-related issues — considering the cost of a facility’s current processes, power, water, discharge and compliance — one can increase productivity, maximize energy and realize cost savings while using water in a responsible and efficient manner.

“Water reuse is one step in building a pathway to a secure water future,” said Keel Robinson, North America marketing and business development manager for Xylem AWS. “We know that water reuse technologies exist today, which safely and reliably reclaim wastewater for beneficial purposes. We look forward to continuing to partner with other innovators and customers to advance the implementation of water reuse and to help build a better understanding of its role in solving water scarcity.”

By working with a trusted expert in implementing a water reuse system, one can recoup the cost of the system in a timely manner, improve its energy efficiency and conserve precious water resources.

Xylem’s well-known global brands provide world-class products, comprehensive solutions and unmatched applications expertise in more than 150 countries. To implement a water reuse system in your facility, visit www.xyleminc.com/food.

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The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is a green living expert, celebrity and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and a Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from:
# Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions)
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# Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel
# Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky
# Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley
# Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke
# Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley
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